Chabot College
Fall 2010
Course Outline for Mathematics 65
ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA
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Catalog Description:
MTH 65 - Elementary Algebra
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5.00 units
Elementary concepts, including signed numbers, integral exponents,
polynomials and rational expressions; linear, quadratic and rational equations;
linear inequalities; introduction to graphs and set theory; systems of
equations.
Prerequisite: MTH 104 (completed with a grade of "C" or higher) or an
appropriate skill level demonstrated through the Mathematics Assessment
process. May not receive credit if Mathematics 65L or 65A and 65B have
been completed.
Units
Contact Hours
Week
Term
5.00
Lecture
Laboratory
Clinical
Total
5.00
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5.00
0
0.00
5.00
5.00
0
0.00
5.00
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entry into this course, the student should be
able to:
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apply the commutative, associative and distributive laws;
perform computations with signed numbers without a calculator;
apply order of operations in evaluating algebraic expressions;
simplify exponential expressions with whole number exponents;
create, interpret, and solve simple linear equations;
find area, circumference, diameter and radius of a circle;
solve a right triangle using Pythagorean Theorem;
simplify square roots of perfect squares;
solve problems using percents;
find the areas, perimeters, and volumes of geometric figures and
objects;
translate between words and the mathematical symbols for variables
and operations;
interpret operations and variables in algebraic expressions;
graph simple relationships between two variables;
solve word problems, including those using formulas and linear
equations.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be
able to:
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write using set theory notation;
apply order of operations to simplify algebraic expressions;
solve linear equations in one variable;
solve and graph linear inequalities in one variable;
graph linear equations in two variables by various methods;
add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials;
apply the formula for squaring a binomial;
factor special products, general trinomials, and polynomials with four
terms;
add, subtract, multiply, divide and simplify rational expressions;
apply algebraic methods to solve word problems;
solve quadratic equations by factoring, using the principle of square
roots, and using the quadratic formula;
solve systems of equations by graphing, substitution and elimination;
apply the properties of integral exponents;
solve formulas for any given variable;
solve rational equations;
find the slope of a line from the graph, from the definition and from
the slope-intercept equation of the line;
find the equation of a line using the point-slope equation;
convert between scientific notation and standard notation.
Course Content:
1.
2.
Set theory notation
Real number system
A. Properties of addition and multiplication
B. Absolute value
C. Order of operations
D. Graphing on the number line
3. Algebraic expressions
4. Linear equations
A. Solving
B. Applications
C. Formulas
5. Linear inequalities in one variable
A. Solving
B. Graphing on the number line
C. Applications
6. Operations and simplifying polynomials
7. Factoring polynomials
A. Removing common factors
B. Trinomials
C. Differences of two squares
D. Grouping
8. Rational expressions
A. Simplifying
B. Operations
C. Complex fractions
9. Solving rational equations
10. Introduction to systems of linear equations
A. Graphing method
B. Substitution method
C. Elimination method
D. Applications
11. Graphing linear equations in two variables
A. Plotting points
B. Plotting intercepts
C. The slope-intercepts method
12. Finding slope
A. From the graph
B. From two points
C. From the slope-intercept equation
13. Finding linear equations given the graph of the line or information
about the line
14. Exponents
A. Integral
B. Scientific notation
15. Simplifying square roots of constants
16. Quadratic equations
A. Solving by factoring
B. Solving by principle of square roots
C. Solving by using the quadratic formula
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Methods of Presentation
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Lecture/Discussion
Audio-visual materials
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating
Student Progress
1. Typical Assignments
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B.
Exercises from the textbook: The balance in Wills’
Mastercard® account grew 2% to $870 in one month. What
was his balance at the beginning of the month?
Collaborative: Do the M&M experiment to model Hooke’s
Law
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
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B.
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F.
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Textbook (Typical):
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Exams/Tests
Quizzes
Class Participation
Home Work
Final Examination
Midterm Examination
Bittenger and Ellenbogen (2010). Elementary Algebra Concepts and
Applications (8th/e). Pearson Publishing.
Special Student Materials